Read More

“Janine’s actions are typical of someone just killing to get what they want,” he says.

“While women are far less likely to kill, they can be motivated by threats to their children or occasionally revenge for cheating.”

Danger Alert: 4/10. Janine’s kills are never pre-meditated, but if she ever returns to The Square, don’t get too friendly.

Nick Cotton, EastEnders

Dot Cotton's diabolical son Nick caused mayhem and destruction wherever he went until he very reluctantly died

Years active: 30 (1985 - 2015)

Kill count: Four

John Altman’s Nasty Nick certainly earned his ‘Enders nickname. Forever trying to scam his long-suffering “ma” Dot (June Brown) out of money, he once planned to kill her and claim her life insurance.

But while she survived, many did not. His first victim was Reg Cox in 1985, whom he beat to death while stealing his war medals to fund his heroin addiction.

He then stabbed Queen Vic landlord Eddie Royle after he witnessed Nick committing a robbery, before turning on Mark Fowler by cutting the brakes on his motorbike, only for his own son Ashley to steal the bike, crash and die instantly.

Poor Ashley was a victim of Nick after he tampered with the brakes of his dad's bike (Image: BBC)

His final victim was Emma Summerhayes, who was mown down by Ronnie Mitchell’s car which Nick sabotaged.

Dr Berry says: “Nick killed impulsively to avoid detection rather than for pleasure. But while he may not be a psychotic killer, that doesn’t make him any less dangerous.

“If I was in court having to advise a judge I would say this man is highly likely to keep killing.”

Danger Alert: 7/10. Cross him or his ma and you’d have been in serious trouble.

Robert Robinson, Neighbours

Vengeful son Robert Robinson was hell-bent on destroying his father's life and then ending it (Image: Fremantle Media)

Years active: 2006 - 2007

Kill count: Three

Robert (Adam Hunter) was the evil triplet hellbent on destroying his father Paul Robinson and everyone close to him, fuelled by resentment at his dad missing his childhood.

Part one of his plan saw him plant a bomb on a plane carrying Paul (Stefan Dennis), his girlfriend Izzy Hoyland and sister Elle Robinson. They survived the attack but three other neighbours were killed.

Next, Robert caused a car accident which left fellow triplet Cameron in a coma, and took his chance to steal his brother’s identity.

Robert shot Paul at the Robinson wedding in Neighbours (Image: BBC)

He then tried to gas Izzy, planted a bomb in Elle’s car and drugged Paul’s water on a camping trip and tied him up in an old mineshaft. Finally he tried to shoot Paul at a wedding, but he had a bulletproof vest on.

Dr Berry says: “Resentment can be quite powerful. Focusing on revenge is the thing that drives these people on and it can last for years.

“They can be all smiles while at the same time planning their victim’s demise.”

Lucas Johnson, EastEnders

Lucas Johnson's chaotic spell in the Square saw his life become entangled with Denise's

Years active: Two (2008 - 2010, brief return 2016)

Kill count: Three

Reformed drug addict Lucas (Don Gilet) accidentally killed his ex Trina in a heated argument – by impaling her on a rake.

But when Owen, the ex-husband of girlfriend Denise Fox (Diane Parish), became suspicious he strangled him and buried him in the Square’s garden.

Lucas dispenses with Owen in a tense scene from 'Enders (Image: BBC)

After confessing to Denise, he tried to strangle her and fake her suicide, before deciding to keep her locked up – and murdering a lookalike prostitute to throw people off the scent.

Dr Berry says Lucas would have “thoroughly enjoyed knowing Owen was buried under the famous Square”. He adds: “And strangling is one of the most common ways of killing someone but it’s also very personal. When you strangle someone you really are in control of what is going on.”

Danger Alert: 8/10. He’s calculating, dangerous and someone you never want to share a drink with in The Vic. The flowers looked nice in the garden though.

Richard Hillman, Coronation Street

Richard 'Tricky Dicky' Hillman is one of Corrie's most ruthless killers to date

Years active: Two (2001 - 2003)

Kill count: Three

Weatherfield has had a serial killer before in Richard Hillman (Brian Capron). Unlucky-in-love Gail Platt (Helen Worth) thought she had hit the jackpot when she married the smooth financial adviser, but he had a dark side.

First he left business partner Duggie Ferguson to die after a fall on a building site, then he killed his ex with a spade before murdering Maxine Peacock with a crowbar.

When wife Gail got suspicious, he kidnapped her and the children and drove them into the canal.

But they escaped while he drowned. Dr Berry says Hillman was not a traditional serial killer, but was a pyschopath.

“He’s smooth, callous, glib and mimics emotions in a very convincing manner,” he says.

Richard then got psychotic on Gail Platt (Image: ITV)

“Those are the characteristics of a psychopath. Richard’s desire to wipe out the Platt family and himself at the same time makes him a more unusual killer.

“I have seen real cases where people have driven cars into water with their families in the back, but often the family die and the driver survives.”

Danger alert: 7/10. But turn a blind eye to his business affairs and you’ll probably live.

Cameron Murray, Emmerdale

A bloodthirsty trucker with the hots for Debbie Dingle wreaked havoc in the Dales (Image: ITV)

Years active: Two (2011 - 2013)

Kill Count: Three

Evil trucker Cameron (Dominic Power), arrived in the village to track down ex-fling Debbie Dingle and soon turned to murder.

First he killed Carl King with a brick for threatening to expose Cameron’s affair with Debbie’s aunt Chas. He confessed to best friend Alex Moss, but then killed him to prevent him blabbing.

In a bid to win back Debbie, he finally admitted to killing Carl but was overheard by a horrified Gennie Sharma (Sian Reese-Williams). Frightened Gennie fled in her car, chased by Carl and Debbie, and crashed.

As a panicked Debbie called 999, twisted Cameron finished Gennie off without Debbie noticing.

After being found out and jailed, he later escaped taking drinkers hostage in the Woolpack, but was electrocuted after trying to drown Debbie in the pub cellar.

Dr Berry says: “For many killers the first murder is the hardest but they say it gets easier and easier until they get sloppy. By the time of Gennie’s death Cameron has killed in cold, organised ways.”

Gloved Hand Killer, Hollyoaks

Hollyoaks village has seen a staggering five serial killers and three multiple killers.

One of the most chilling was the Gloved Hand Killer, who kept fans guessing their identity for nine months while they bumped off Rick Spencer, Will Savage, Mariam Andrews, Phoebe McQueen, Dylan Jenkins, Ashley Davidson and Dr Charles Savage, all while they recovered at Dee Valley hospital.

Each one was injected with a lethal dose of potassium chloride.

Doctor Lindsey Butterfield (Sophie Austin) was eventually unmasked but was later killed by fellow serial killer Silas Blissett (Jeff Rawle).

Psycho Lindsey, played by Sophie Austin, used a lethal dose as her weapon (Image: Liverpool Echo)

Not only is she soap’s most realistic serial killer, Dr Berry says she’s the most dangerous.

He says: “She’s killing patients because she just loves the power – that’s quite a typical female serial killer.”

poll loading

Is the Pat Phelan storyline too far-fetched?

0+ VOTES SO FAR

The village’s other serial killers include Cameron Campbell (Cameron Moore, left) who killed six, Toby Mills who killed 13, Nico Blake who killed three, and Silas who killed five, including his own daughter after not realising she was in the same fancy dress as his intended victim.

Danger Alert: 9/10. You would have a better chance making it out of Midsomer alive than Hollyoaks...